KeyWatcher electronic key management system

The KeyWatcher key management systems are essential to any business or facility where the loss or unauthorised use of priority keys poses a significant threat to security and a quintessential tool for security and facility managers where control and accountability of keys is paramount. The most common cause of keys being lost or stolen is when keys are taken off site.

Most facilities these days are alarmed or secured in some way or another so why do security or facility managers permit high priority keys like master or sub-master keys to be taken off site by cleaners, senior staff and trades people? Most people who take keys home have little or no security for such responsibility and apart from the consequential costs and disruption to business, key holders could, unknowingly become potential victims of crime.

The Morse Watchman’s KeyWatcher systems from KeyWatch Systems Queensland are specifically designed for security of high-profile keys in any size facility. They electronically secure from eight individual keys or eight bunches of keys up to thousands of keys, within high security steel key cabinets that can only be accessed by authorised users. The KeyWatcher electronic key management system range includes 8, 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96 and 144 key systems in fully expandable cabinets.

Existing keys are simply attached without tools directly to special tamper-proof tags called SmartKeys. These have an embedded chip that enables the Key Watcher to track the removal and return of each key or key set and records the key number and name, user’s name, time and date.

They are ideally suited for:

Gaming Facilities such as Casinos, Clubs and Hotels for securing and controlling high priority gaming keys to cash and other assets, poker machine clearance keys, liquor storage rooms and cool rooms.

Universities, Shopping Centres, Commercial High Rise or any facility where there are numerous keys and users

Vehicles – for small or large vehicle fleets where a number of users require temporary access to company vehicles.

Each master cabinet can be expanded to accommodate hundreds or thousands of keys simply by daisy chaining ‘slave’ cabinets to the original cabinet. They provide stand-alone operation for up to 2000 users and can be interfaced with existing security or access control systems to control unlimited users and keys. User access to keys is by an alpha-numeric User ID and PIN entered at a keypad located on the front of the cabinet, which unlocks the main door and releases the individual key(s) requested by the user. Alternatively it can be fitted with an optional Prox or Magnetic Card reader or for maximum security, a Biometric fingerprint reader.

The KeyWatcher electronic key management system has a unique feature known as random key return which allows keys to be returned to any vacant location within the cabinet, preventing pattern recognition. When keys are returned, the location is memorised by the system. When keys are requested, their location is displayed in the LCD screen and also illuminated within the cabinet. In the very unlikely event of a system failure, an emergency override key enables access to the rear of the internal panel to manually release keys.

In addition to control of keys the flexible modular design of keywatcher also allows for control of access or credit cards and a range of security lockers for securing mobile phones, two-radios, duress transmitters, laptops, guns and many other items that require restricted access and accountability for their use. The KeyWatcher electronic key management system comes with its own Windows compatible key management software that automatically polls the system live or periodically through with any PC Laptop or LAN. It can be remotely programmed and even remotely accessed to release or return keys for casual users not authorised for immediate access. It has unlimited key and time restrictions for users allowing them access to keys within specific time windows or durations or on specific days as well as key reservations to prevent a vehicle or meeting room key being taken by other users on a specific time/date. Other features grant users with unlimited access to keys, ‘one time use of keys’ whereas, the user code is automatically deleted when the key is returned and as well, a pre-programmed auto user start dates and/or end date.

Keys can be programmed in groups that can be released as all keys in a group or, the next available key in a group. Group release is very practical where several of the same key is required by several users at random times so users are automatically given the next available key instead of having to hunt for it. It is the perfect management tool for controlling keys to vehicle fleets or service vehicles and invaluable to management for auditing the use of vehicles to determine user responsibility for damages, parking fines and other traffic infringements. Installing KeyWatcher in your facility means you will never lose keys again without your knowledge and never be threatened by the use or possession of keys by any unauthorised persons. The starting price of a KeyWatcher electronic key management system is a mere fraction of the cost to re-keying your facility, not to mention the costs for loss or damage to assets.

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